Olive Tree Planting Guide

April 16, 2024 Post a Comment

Olive tree planting guide

Olives are Mediterranean plants so thrive in conditions closest to the hot, dry climate of their native habitat. Choose the sunniest and most sheltered spot available – a south-facing spot with a brick wall behind it will work well.

What time of year do you plant olive trees?

The spring and the fall are the most common times to plant olive trees, though they can be planted throughout the summer if the conditions are right. The advantage to spring planting is that the trees have all summer to grow into their site before the winter cold sets in.

Do olive trees grow better in pots or ground?

Olives planted close to a warm wall where they can bask in the sunshine will be the happiest. The olive tree is slow-growing and is therefore ideal for pot-growing; it will thrive in a large pot in a bright spot on the patio or balcony, or in an unheated conservatory or greenhouse.

What soil is best for olive trees?

Olives will live happily in acidic or alkaline soils, but they do not like conditions that become waterlogged. Therefore, free draining soil is essential. If your soil is sandy or lacking in nutrients, try adding a root growth stimulant or fertilizer after planting.

Do olive trees need a lot of water to grow?

Olive trees are very drought resistant; however, they still require water to survive. When establishing an olive tree, keep the soil moist, yet not saturated. Water an establishing olive tree once weekly for the first year or anytime the top 2” of soil becomes dry.

Can you leave an olive tree outside in winter?

Mature Olive trees will happily survive with no ill effects whatsoever in temperatures as low as -15 Celsius. Younger Olive trees can survive in Temperatures down to -12 Celsius without the need to cover them with fleece.

Do olive trees come back every year?

As your tree matures and begins fruiting, you'll discover an olive oddity: they never bear fruit in the same place on a stem, so new growth each year is necessary for flower production and fruiting.

How many years do olive trees take to grow?

It's possible for a mature olive tree to reach its maximum height after around 15 years, depending on the conditions it's grown in. This isn't always the case, though. Annual growth rates can vary from 2 to 12 inches once the tree matures.

How much space does an olive tree need?

Normally olive trees are spaced about 20 ft apart, because that is the ultimate size of an olive tree. Even compact growing varieties ultimately will get this big unless continuously pruned to keep them smaller.

Do you need 2 olive trees?

Many varieties of olive trees require cross-pollination; that is, you need at least two different varieties to reliably get olive tree fruit. Perfect Plants offers the Arbequina olive variety (Olea europaea) which is self-fertile and a semi evergreen tree.

Do olive tree roots grow down or out?

The root system of the olive trees develops vertically until the third to fourth year of its life. Later on, the original root system is replaced by another flocculent root system, produced mainly by spheroblasts or conger, formed in the olive tree neck, just below the soil surface.

How do I protect my olive trees in the winter?

Use fleece protection Wrapping your plant in horticultural fleece from December through to February (or longer if cold weather persists) will shield it from freezing temperatures and winds. As the fleece traps an air layer underneath it, it is kept a degree higher than the outside temperature, keeping your plant warm.

Is Miracle Grow good for olive trees?

Feeding – Feed your olive trees with 'Miracle-Gro All Purpose Slow Release' plant food in spring. If your plant has lost leaves in winter and you want to give it a boost, apply 'Maxicrop Complete Garden Feed' fortnightly between May and August to ensure the tree stays healthy, vigorous and happy.

What is the best fertilizer for olive trees?

We at Olive Tree Growers prefer to use a premium slow-release fertilizer with essential minor elements (zinc, boron, calcium, etc.). Use a fertilizer that has a nitrogen analysis of at least ten percent.

Should I plant my olive tree in the ground?

You can indeed plant your Olive Tree in the ground however, it needs good drainage. It will also need a lot of room to grow as the trunk will expand a lot over the years. You can always dig up you tree and re-locate it however, it is best to leave your Olive Tree where it is.

Do olive trees require a lot of maintenance?

Most aptly suited to areas which are prone to high heat and plenty of sunshine, the olive tree should be planted outside and once established is fairly low maintenance.

Can you plant just one olive tree?

A single tree usually produces more than enough olives for a family to enjoy throughout the year. The self-pollinating 'Mission', the classic California courtyard olive, is a good choice if you're planting just one—and it can even make you self-sufficient in olive oil.

Can an olive tree get too much sun?

Once established, Olives are drought tolerant. Choose a spot in full sun; remember, though, that your Olive Tree was grown in a greenhouse and will get sunburned if placed in full sun upon receipt.

What is the lowest temperature an olive tree can tolerate?

Olive trees require a Mediterranean-like climate to survive. They need a long, hot summer and a cool, not frigid, winter. A mature tree can survive temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit for a limited amount of time; sustained cold below 15 degrees can be fatal.

Do olive trees come back after a freeze?

Many factors come into play in the susceptibility of olives to freeze damage. Young trees are more vulnerable to cold weather than mature specimens, and are unlikely to regrow from the roots after severe freeze damage.